Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

The Rivieras were made up of teenagers from South Bend Central High School. The group was originally called the Playmates, but was forced to change their names as there was already a group playing under that name. As a result, the group decided to rename themselves after the Buick Riviera.

Great George!
This is still a big crowd pleaser for us! I love the one-note guitar solo. Surley, it provided inspiration for Neil Young on "Cinnamon Girl". I have a lot of fun with it-striking "guitar god" poses and grimmacing wildly.

Probably the first time I ever saw a VOX Continental in the wood, so to speak, was during a hop played by these guys in northern Indiana...Otto Nuss was the keyboardist, I recall, and I envied him no end.

I hand-lettered "Otto Matic" on my first Farfisa in Otto's honor.

"I hand-lettered "Otto Matic" on my first Farfisa in Otto's honor."

Oh, and thanks for that first video that reminded me why I started playing music and surfing in the first place, AND that I'm getting older!